SpaceX’s Falcon 9 booster B1093 completed its 17th flight, launching 27 V2 Mini Starlink satellites from Vandenberg and expanding the constellation.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 booster B1093 has completed its 17th mission, lofting 27 V2 Mini Starlink satellites into orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Mission Overview
The launch took place on 20 September 2026, marking another milestone for the reusable Falcon 9 fleet. B1093, which first flew in 2022, has now accumulated over 20,000 seconds of flight time across its previous 16 missions.
The payload, designated Starlink 15‑27, consists of the latest V2 Mini satellites, each weighing roughly 150 kilograms and equipped with advanced phased‑array antennas for higher‑throughput broadband service.
Launch Site and Profile
The booster lifted off from Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg, following a standard eastward trajectory over the Pacific. After stage separation, the second stage performed a precise circularization burn to place the satellites into a 540‑kilometer sun‑synchronous orbit.
All 27 satellites were successfully deployed using the new “mini‑cluster” dispenser, which allows for tighter spacing and reduced risk of on‑orbit collision.
Booster Reusability
B1093 executed a controlled return to the launch site, landing on the concrete pad at LC‑4E. This marks the 12th time the booster has been recovered and prepared for a subsequent flight, underscoring SpaceX’s cost‑saving strategy.
- 17th flight for B1093
- 27 V2 Mini satellites launched
- Booster landed at Vandenberg LC‑4E
The successful deployment expands the Starlink constellation’s coverage in the northern latitudes, bringing high‑speed internet to remote communities and supporting emerging 5G backhaul applications.
SpaceX plans to continue launching V2 Mini units throughout the remainder of 2026, aiming to reach a total of 4,800 such satellites by the end of the year.